On the way,
we drove through several quaint, beautiful villages we’d never seen before,

noted
changes in cities and land we did recognize, and got a little bit lost.

We ate our picnic lunch in a quiet, scenic spot where we
watched a European robin fly closer and closer to us. After eating, we asked
directions and arrived in good time at our destination.

Photo: Serge Bertasius Photography

We didn’t take a computer. We didn’t have a phone. We
didn’t have GPS, and we forgot a map.

It was wonderful!

On the return trip the next day, we did another jaunt
into the countrysideand stopped in front of a house built in the 1500s, took
photos of chickens, and walked through a graveyard. We talked, enjoyed a
gorgeous sunset, and, except for some nutty drivers,

we savored every second of
our trip home.

When we got home, I made supper first. Later, I sat
down at the computer to find out what we’d missed. Not much! There were less
than ten important e-mails. None were critical.

There were no important phone
messages. We hadn’t missed a thing!

Now, we didn’t mean to leave our phone, and we probably
won’t do that again.

But, I would gladly stay “unconnected” and unhurried again.

We enjoyed the freedom to explore and appreciate, to take
pictures and meditate under a gorgeous sunset. To have some quiet time. To
check out mentally.

Our task ended up being a mini-vacation.

The Bible speaks of quiet and stillness and what it does
for the soul.

Be still, and know that I
am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth (Psalm 46:10).

For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In
returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall
be your strength (Isaiah 30:15a).

And he (Jesus) said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a
desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they
had no leisure so much as to eat (Mark
6:31).

Rest is a biblical concept. I
know my husband and I were glad to have those thirty-some hours to switch off.

What do you do to disconnect?How does it help? Please share!

(The photos, except the robin, were taken by me, some from the moving car!)

6 comments:

What a beautiful post! This Sunday I left my cell phone at home all day too (on accident), and I did not miss out on much either. :-) Usually in the evenings after a certain time, I will set my phone on airplane mode (learned this from someone else) so that my alarm will still go off, but no text messages will come through. :-)

I loved this post and getting to see a little bit of your life in Spain. I adore that really old house, that's amazing and I can just image how old those headstones must have been. I'm so glad you could "unplug" and get some quiet. We all need that sometimes, and it seems like it's hard to come by. Have a great weekend Lou Ann!

These pictures are from just over the border, in France. It is lovely, like all of France. Yes, it's hard for both of us to get free at the same time and to have no time pressure. We do try to once in a while take a 24-36 hour break. They work wonders!

Hi and welcome to In the Way! I explore many subjects, striving always to present them from a biblical viewpoint. Feel free to browse the tabs at the top for general categories. If you don't see what you're looking for, use the search button below. I'm a pastor's wife, mother of two, grandma, teacher, author, and blogger. I live in a quaint little village in the beautiful Basque region of northern Spain.

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About Me

Lou Ann is a young-thinking grandma with an infectious laugh. She rejoices in nature and other beautiful things--including people! She's an avid writer and practices several other artistic expressions, like singing when no one's listening, calligraphy, photography, and even "serious art." Lou Ann loves her Lord Jesus Christ, family, and her church.